Regional communities are reminded that there are less than two weeks left to apply for Round Three of the SA Healthy Towns Challenge.
Wellbeing SA Chief Executive, Lyn Dean, said applications for Round 3 have been extended to Friday 12 June to allow communities who may have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic to apply.
“After the recent bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been a more important time to invest in the health and wellbeing of regional towns,” Ms Dean said.
“Through the State Government’s $1 million commitment towards the SA Healthy Towns Challenge, we are supporting our regions to deliver preventive health programs that will have measurable results.
“Many risk factors for chronic disease are preventable, so investing in projects that promote a healthy lifestyle have the added benefit of helping to avoid future health costs and easing pressure on hospitals and the wider health system.”
Ms Dean, said grants of up to $50,000 are available as part of Round Three of the SA Healthy Towns Challenge.
“In regional areas, communities play a vital role in supporting their residents to engage with each other, be active and eat well,” Ms Dean said.
“Whether that takes the shape of establishing a community garden or men’s shed or training volunteers to provide healthy options in a sporting club canteen, we are looking for applications that demonstrate creative and innovative ways to help prevent chronic disease and improve the overall health of the people in the area.
“If you have a new and inventive idea that needs a little help getting off the ground, or would like additional funding to support an existing project, the Healthy Towns Challenge is for you.”
At the end of each funding round, the SA Healthy Towns Challenge Award will be presented to the town that achieves the most improvements towards healthier living.
The FoodHub Health and Wellbeing Project run by Uniting Communities took out the inaugural award and the winner of Round 2 will be announced later in the year.
Applications for Round Three close on Friday 12 June 2020.
